Allergy Chicken Feather Fluorescence Assay Skin
What is this test?
Allergy chicken feather fluorescence assay skin test is used to test the sensitization of your skin to chicken feather. This test helps to know the immune response of the body towards the chicken feather. In this test, your skin is slightly pricked and introduced to a small amount of a liquid containing chicken feather allergens.
What is a chicken feather allergy?
A chicken feather allergy is an allergic reaction to the chicken feather or things that are made up of chicken feathers. Arts and crafts that include chicken feathers and wing feathers can also cause this allergy. This is very common in chicken breeders and poultry workers. If you have a family history of allergies or allergic diseases, then you are at risk of developing a chicken feather allergy.
Feathers themselves are not only the source of allergens, but it can also be due to the dander or dust mites that collect within feathers. Dander is a kind of dust or tiny particles of the skin that had been shed from birds along with fur or feathers. These allergens can spread when the birds flutter their wings.
An individual who is allergic to a chicken feather when gets exposed to it, their immune system produces antibodies against these proteins. The signs and symptoms of a chicken feather allergy are red skin, runny, itchy nose, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, black circles under the eyes, difficulty breathing, sore throat, coughing or wheezing, hives, etc. These symptoms can be completely avoided when you are not getting exposed to chicken feathers or any chicken poultry farms.
Why this test is performed?
This test is performed when you are suspected to have a chicken feather allergy. Your doctor may ask to perform this test if you experience signs and symptoms of chicken feather allergy such as red skin, runny, itchy nose, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, black circles under the eyes, difficulty breathing, sore throat, coughing or wheezing, hives, etc. This test may also be performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment, if already diagnosed.
Test Preparation
Inform your doctor if you are on any medications, have any allergies or underlying medical conditions before your Allergy Chicken Feather Fluorescence Assay Skin. Your doctor will give specific instructions depending on your condition on how to prepare for Allergy Chicken Feather Fluorescence Assay Skin.
No specific preparation is required for this test. However, follow all the instructions given by the healthcare provider.
Understanding your test results
After getting exposed to chicken feather allergens if you develop hives or reddish spots on the skin or a wheal or flare reaction (immediate reaction to an allergen) at the test location that is at least 3 mm of size may indicate that you have a chicken feather allergy.
If there is no reaction or hives present on the skin after getting exposed to the chicken feather allergens then it may indicate that you are not allergic to chicken feather.
| Gender | Age groups | Value |
| UNISEX | All age groups | A wheal and flare reaction of atleast 3mm indicates that the patient is allergic to the substance |